Black Book

Big effort from the Not a Single Doubt filly who arguably should be undefeated from her three starts. Only five fillies lined-up in the Group Two Silver Shadow and Formality was able to lead comfortably, setting only a moderate tempo. Champagne Cuddles settled behind Formality and Alizee, with Tye Angland peeling off the back of Alizee at the 500m. She wobbled slightly on the turn before laying out in the straight, particularly at the 300m.

Champagne Cuddles was laying out in the straight. Image: Racing NSW

While she never looked like winning the race, she finished off strongly to close the gap to 0.4 of a length on the line. They came home in 33-flat for the final 600m, highlighting the fact it was a sprint home which suited Formality in the lead. The first three across the line look to be in for a good spring, but I'll certainly be sticking with Champagne Cuddles off that effort.

Intriguing runner for Chris Waller who made a very good start to his spring campaign. The import had three runs during his first preparation in Australia, winning a BM78 over 1800m first-up at Caulfield before finishing second in both the Listed Anzac Cup and Wagga Cup. They weren't overly strong staying races, although the winner of the Wagga Cup, Stampede, went on to a Group Three in Brisbane at his subsequent start. Life Less Ordinary resumed over 1400m on Saturday, settling back in the run and was last turning for home. Lee Magorrian took the shortest way home, sticking to the rail in the straight. Life Less Ordinary was strong over the final 150m and most impressive was the way he charged through the line. He got within 0.3 of a length of stablemate Comin' Through, who enjoyed an easy time in the lead. That should prove to be strong form and Life Less Ordinary will appreciate stepping-up in distance.

Perfect Rhyme's run was what you want to see first-up following an Oaks campaign during the autumn and she was up against a pretty handy field of sprinter-milers at Group Three level. She settled midfield and held her ground in the straight to finish sixth, beaten just over two lengths. She only has the one win which came in a Class 1 at Hawkesbury, but finished runner-up in both the Adrian Knox and the Oaks. Still relatively low in the rating (85) which gives Ron Leemon plenty of options and she'll be at her best at 1600m+.

Complete forgive run by Omei Sword. She knuckled over badly at the start which resulted in Kerrin McEvoy almost being dislodged and the mare lost early ground. She was never going to be winning from there, but she worked home pretty well over the final 100m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an abrasion to the near-side lower lip. McEvoy also reported the mare may not have appreciated he firmer surface.